Watch the two main characters get more and more OP to the point of insanity. (Image Courtesy of: narutotime.net)

While often defined by its tropes, anime is such a diverse form of entertainment. For each 25 episode show, there are the 200 episode adventures. Rarely though does a series span a full decade and a half like Naruto.

Beginning with the original series Naruto (previously reviewed here) in 2002, the last episode of Naruto Shippuden aired on October 13, 2016. Even though this was the last episode of the series, it was far from the last episode of the franchise which is moving right along with new stories elsewhere.

While the series is one of the most expansive shows in history, totaling 480 episodes (or 700 including the original), breaking it down is actually not nearly as hard as it may seem as Naruto's great charm and Achilles' heel is its excess of stories beyond its linear foundation.

Synopsis

***Everything from this point assumes the reader has already seen the entirety of the original Naruto series which was previously reviewed.***

After two-and-a-half years of training, Naruto and Sakura are reunited as they prepare to find Sasuke and challenge Orochimaru. However, the Akatsuki have their own plan, beginning a systematic assault on all the jinchuriki.

While both have grown stronger, their ability and strength will be tested more than ever as a grand plot centuries in the making begins to reveal itself, one piece at a time.

Sakura does a lot of crying in this series, not a lot of anything else. (Image Courtesy of: viz.com)

Story Arc Analysis

***This is the only spoiler section of the review, heavily exploring the main plotlines of the anime. If you have not watched the anime in its entirety yet, skip ahead to the Impact and Art Style section.***

Kazekage Rescue (Eps 1-32): I cannot imagine anyone jumping into this series without first watching Naruto because this series starts off moving quickly after a time jump to show Naruto's improvement. The Akatsuki immediately become the central villains, and Naruto immediately needs to step in with friends to save Gaara.

This early arc works really well because it gets right into the action. It also includes Sakura's best moment in the series as she gets to be the one who truly saves the day, fighting and defeating Sasori with the Sand's Chiyo in an epic eight-episode struggle. Naruto feels more sidelined for the most part, dealing with his jinchuriki powers.

Reunion With Sasuke (Eps 33-53): After much anticipation and Naruto and Sakura being paired up with the mysterious Sai alongside new team leader Yamato, we finally see Naruto, Sakuro, and Sasuke in the same place again at the same time.

While the series struggles to sell Sasuke as a villain most of the series, it makes him truly creepy here as he seems indomitable. He even outshines Orochimaru. The lead up is somewhat slow, but it works in revealing the quirks of Sai and Yamato and making them memorable.

Team Kakashi and Sora (Eps 54-71): This is the only real side-mission arc in the series which allows the series to show off how the new Team Kakashi without Kakashi can function. Team Kakashi head to the Fire Temple and return with Sora who is the target of a dangerous group's plot to destroy the Leaf Village.

Ultimately, the Leaf Village all stand up and succeed in saving their village with Naruto making another friend in Sora. For all that happens, this ultimately feels like a film script stretched into a full arc with no real consequences thereafter.

Akatsuki Hidan and Kakuzu (Eps 72-88): While Naruto trains to become stronger and learn the Wind Shuriken Rasengan, the Akatsuki continue their full assault on the world's Jinchuriki. Team Asuma try to fight Hidan and Kakuzu, but Hidan kills Asuma. Eventually, Naruto's new move and a vengeful Shikamaru defeat Kakuzu and Hidan.

A good old training session in Naruto is usually quality, and this was no different. While the action most of the time was focused on side characters, it was actually the better part of this section with Shikamaru getting his moment in the sun at the expense of losing Asuma.

The Akatsuki Jinchuriki Hunt (Eps 89-112, 144-51): Naruto is at the center of two jinchuriki incidents with Yukimaru and Ukataka. While Naruto helps them overcome their issues with threats, Akatsuki swoop in and grab their Tailed Beasts. These are both fairly standard mission arcs despite the dark endings.

Hebi: Sasuke's True Desire (Eps 113-8, 121-5, 134-43): This one is hard to simply pin point, but Sasuke's story branches off from the main arc for a while as he kills Orochimaru and forms his own group to kill his brother which he finally succeeds in doing only to find out the truth.

Orochimaru was such an intriguing presence in Naruto, but he is neutered in Shippuden for the sake of Sasuke and the greater villains. This does give Sasuke some good moments though especially his amazing war with Itachi which is a series highlight.

Jiraiya's History With Pain (Eps 126-33): It is revealed that the supposed leader of the Akatsuki, Pain, is one of three students of Jiraiya which he realizes just as Pain's overwhelming power kills him. This section does some of the series' best storytelling with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as well as perfectly sending off Jiraiya.

Pain's Destruction of The Leaf Village (Eps 152-69, 172-75, 252-3): After Jiraiya's death, Naruto heads off to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Mode. Pain and Konan invade and destroy the Leaf Village with Naruto returning just in time to save the day though not before Hinata's near-death causes him to go on a rampage as the Nine-Tails.

Naruto finds an confronts Nagato, the true face of Pain, and convinces him to undo the damage he has done. This is absolutely the strongest section of the anime as Naruto grows and takes on an impossible foe. We see him go through all levels of war including a gut-wrenching scene with Hinata and meeting his father's psyche in his Nine-Tail rage.

The Gathering of the Five Kage (Eps 197-221): A Five Kage Summit is held to discuss a plan to combat the Akatsuki. Naruto attempts to stop a kill order sent out on Sasuke only for Sasuke to invade the Summit to try and kill current Hokage Danzo who caused his brother's death. In the confusion, Madara Uchiha reveals himself and declares war on the Kage.

Sasuke kills Danzo then fights with Naruto in an inconclusive struggle. There are many moving pieces here that are intriguing. With Pain's death, Madara steps in as the new threat, and the mission stories end to focus all efforts on one final gigantic ninja war. Plus we see Sakura realize how much she is pushing Naruto down the wrong path.

Naruto creates so many interesting villains just so that they can use them each for a dozen episodes and move on. (Image Courtesy of: pinterest.com)

Taming the Nine-Tails with Killer Bee (Eps 243-51, 254-6): While the Great War begins, Naruto is shuffled off to the side for his protection and learns under Killer Bee, the only other remaining jinchuriki, how to control Nine-Tails. He also gets to meet his mother in a similar way to his father.

This is the final training sequence in the series and is extremely important in making Nine-Tails' dynamic with Naruto evolve. Again having Naruto talk with one of his parents is intense and a fan-pleasing moment.

Fourth Great Shinobi War (Eps 261-70, 272-89, 296-310, 312-320): The Great Shinobi War rages with everyone in the fight except Naruto against Kabuto's army of reanimated shinobi. We get to see a bunch of super-powered fights before Naruto and Madara get into the war.

This is a fun if too spread out section of the anime as many supporting characters get some time to shine. This allows lead to some odd situations that are fun including Gaara meeting his father and Team Asuma speaking with Asuma one more time.

The Truth of Madara, The Akatsuki, and Obito (Eps 321-48, 362-75, 378-88, 91-93, 414-5, 420-5): The Ten Tails is formed when all the Tailed Beasts are finally taken in at least in part. It is then revealed that "Madara" was actually Obito Uchiha, working for Madara before reviving Madara. Then everyone besides Team Kakashi is taken in by the Infinite Tsukoyomi which is an eternal dream state.

This all gets rather complicated though the action is exciting to watch. Obito to Madara to Black Zetsu, it's hard to follow quite who has done what, partially because plot holes pop up throughout. If you sit back and just let everything happen though, it is a fun run.

Ultimate Truth of Kaguya and Final Battles (Eps 458-68, 470-78): Madara is betrayed by Black Zetsu who use him to revive Kaguya, the originator of chakra. The Sage of the Six Paths emerges to give Naruto and Sasuke one shot to seal away Kaguya, and they succeed. Then Naruto and Sasuke fight one last time for the future, and Naruto wins.

It is probably more appropriate to say the two draw in their final battle, but Sasuke admits to losing after. This is pure action besides the flashbacks which are a bit too frequent, and the Naruto and Sasuke fight is intense, engaging, and emotional in all the right ways, ending the anime perfectly.

The Filler (Every Other Episode): Naruto has never been a series shy about telling stories of its characters even in the midst of heavy main plot development. Shippuden's later episodes are drenched in filler even as the climactic battles are being fought.

While there are good and bad filler episodes in Naruto, it is best to just watch them separate from the main arcs as they kill the pacing and mood of the main story which is particularly gripping as it develops.

The Movies: If you like the Naruto world, you'll enjoy the films which move quickly and tell fun stories. There are eight that were made, and I personally most enjoy the films that were relevant to the characters.

That is why the ones I most recommend are: The Lost Tower, Road to Ninja, The Last, and Boruto. The last two were good enough that I have rewatched them several times now.

Shipping in anime is usually ridiculous, but NaruHina is life. (Image Courtesy of: uk.pinterest.com)

Impact and Art Style

It's easy to fall in love with the world of Naruto. The characters are all unique enough that it is easy to remember them all even the more minor supporting characters. The world also develops in a way that is both exciting and effective.

For this reason, Naruto Shippuden has been a hit for a long time, and this unfortunately caused those in charge to dive too heavily into the characters rather than focusing on the central narrative at all times.

In order to keep focused on the stories that matter, it can often feel like navigating a minefield of wasted time especially since even the main story episodes often repeat flashbacks and exposition.

Still, you will rarely find an anime that can cause such an easy connection from its opening episodes all the way through. In equal measure, Naruto Shippuden is emotionally heavy and fun driving action.

In its run, Naruto Shippuden uses a variety of animation styles which can become jarring. In the truly important episodes, those involved step up to show off a more vibrant style which is great particularly for the action scenes. The brief venture into a choppier style in the Pain arc just needs to be forgiven and forgotten.

Sub vs. Dub

Nothing much has changed from the original series dub. The Japanese sub is far stronger, and anyone who watches the sub will be waiting a long time for the rest of the series to finish while it has been finished in sub form.

Recommendation: Sub

I remember when this show was just about a few kids learning to be ninjas. (Image Courtesy of: themepack.me)

Conclusion

There are fine lines that need to be drawn when discussing Naruto Shippuden, similar to other action anime. No series has ever been more filler driven than Naruto in its entire run, and that has hurt it significantly despite great central stories.

While there were times where I completed checked out on Naruto Shippuden, I always came back, and the best parts of the anime are among the best in any anime with gripping characters and stories as long as you don't get too caught up in the details.

Certainly nothing with Naruto Shippuden though was perfect. The anime attempts to dive into some heavy philosophical differences in order to define its characters particularly during a plot hole-laiden home stretch. The series never makes this lines work even when heard in the original Japanese.

This series is best with the big beats. When Naruto is hurt, sad, or angry, the series is running on adrenaline. When he is discussing why he is affected by these emotions, it suffers. This is an anime with a larger vision than its writers can properly manage.

Still, at its core, this is the kind of anime I will always love. Its characters are the core around which the series shows off intense action and emotional highs. Very few anime series will ever stick with me as much as Naruto Shippuden.